I'm replying here because I assume nnozomi will see the reply in any case since it's her post.
FWIW, I don't feel an anti-intellectual strain in the show,
That makes total sense, it's just my own personal pet peeve, but it would not make sense for them to even go there.
I've also wondered, since learning that a lot of sent-down youth became Communist Party cadres later, about any behind-the-scenes political support/influence for the show.
Yeah, that sounds surprising on the surface, but it must be psychologically stringent somehow. It does remind me of 1984 (the novel/movie).
The documentary (Weina) I watched by the woman whose parents fled to Austria also had a large portion about her grandfather, who was sent down and had ptsd for the rest of his life, and still had only good things to say about the party. People like that exerting pressure behind the scenes absolutely makes sense.
from nnozomi's response:
my impression is that when Chinese media wants to send a political message it is not subtle about it
Ha omg that is very true. I realize that I'm just projecting my own pet peeve. It really doesn't make sense for the show to mention it or even think it. They have other goals, you're right.
given their now huge popularity, but I couldn't say for sure.
Right! They weren't popular in season 1, but they are now. That should make a big difference.
no subject
FWIW, I don't feel an anti-intellectual strain in the show,
That makes total sense, it's just my own personal pet peeve, but it would not make sense for them to even go there.
I've also wondered, since learning that a lot of sent-down youth became Communist Party cadres later, about any behind-the-scenes political support/influence for the show.
Yeah, that sounds surprising on the surface, but it must be psychologically stringent somehow. It does remind me of 1984 (the novel/movie).
The documentary (Weina) I watched by the woman whose parents fled to Austria also had a large portion about her grandfather, who was sent down and had ptsd for the rest of his life, and still had only good things to say about the party. People like that exerting pressure behind the scenes absolutely makes sense.
from nnozomi's response:
my impression is that when Chinese media wants to send a political message it is not subtle about it
Ha omg that is very true. I realize that I'm just projecting my own pet peeve. It really doesn't make sense for the show to mention it or even think it. They have other goals, you're right.
given their now huge popularity, but I couldn't say for sure.
Right! They weren't popular in season 1, but they are now. That should make a big difference.
Thank you both for answering my question!